Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BACRGROUND OF ~HE I~VENTION
__ __ _ _ _
The invention relates generally to an improved strana
fabricating machine; also known in the art as a braiding machine.
More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus
for the control of moving strands from rotating strand supply
bobbins.
Still further, the invention relates to the control of
relative strand movement, without significantly affectin~ or
altering strand tension, on a braiding mach~ne with two sets of
carriers for a str~nd ~upply bobbin being rotated in opposite
10 directions and being generally axially allgned, as a ~t of ront
and rear strand carriers and supply bobbins. The multiple sets of
contra-rotating front and rear strands are let-off from the supply
bobbins under controlled tension. The moving sets of strands are
interwoven, rear strands over and around front strands, by guiding
15 of the rear strands through an arc segment relative to the central
axis of the braiding machine. The arcuate movement does not change
or substantially alter rear strand length thereby maintaining
strand tension. The tensioned interwoven sets of strands are led
to and around a circular ring in front of the front bobbins which
20 has an effective diameter coincident with the rotational axisof the
front bobbinsO The circular ring may be rotated in the same
direction as the moving set of strands from the rear supply bobbins
to eliminate any rotational friction or "drag back" of the rear
strands. Then, the interwoven strands are pulled from the braiding
25 machine to a "work center" for ~i~ht braiding around a core or
mandrel moving along the central axis of the machine.
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55!33~i
In the prior art, the use of positively actuated lever or
arm means for in$erweaving sets of moving strands between the
braiding point and sets of contra-rotating strand supply bobbins is
disclosed in: U.S. Patent No. 447,262, 18~1, l'regurtha, et al; U.
S. Patent No~ 814,711, 1906, ~arsson; U. S. Patent No. 1,516,568,
1924, Horn; U. S. Patent No. 1,689,389, 1928, Horn; V. S. Patent No.
1,864,249, 1932, Horn; U. S. Patent No. 1,955,206, 1934, Standish;
U. S. Patent No. 3,834,271, 1974, EIinds, et al; U. S. Patent No.
3,892,161, 1975, Sokol; U. S. Patent No. 4,034,642, 1977, Iannucci,
10 et al; and, U. S. Patent No. 4,372,191, ~983, Iannucci, et al.
In the prior art, the use o axially located circular
ring~ for peripheral and gulding engagem~nt with moving ~txanc~
from contra-rotating sets of upper-lower strand supply bobbins is
disclosed in: U. S. Patent No. 814,711, 1906, Larsson; U. S. Patent
15 No. 851,204, 1907, Parks & Wardwell; and, U. S. Patent Wo.
1,704,888, 1929, Frederickson.
So far is is known to the inventors, the most relevant
prior art patent is U. S. Patent No. 814,711, 1906, Larsson. This
patent discloses a braiding machine having a set of lower carriers
20 G for a strand supply bobbin 1 mounted on an annular body D for
rotation in one direction. A set of upper carriers L ~or a strand
supply bobbin 2 are movable around the upper side of the annular
body D in a raceway H. The upper carriers L are rotated in an
opposite direction to the lower carriers G by a series of spur
25 pinions m interconnecting rack-teeth j on bases i for the carriers
L with a large spur gear-wheel d. The gear-wheel is rotated around
a standard A by a power shaft B through a spur-pinion f which meshes
with a spur gear-wheel C, which carries the gear wheel-d. The
-2-
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carriers, L and G, are generally axially aligned so that the orbits
or paths of movements of the lower and upper sets of bobbins, 1 and
2, "are of about equal diameter." ~page 2, col. 1, llr 31-34~
The apparatus according ~o the invention is used with a
5 braiding machine having a set of rear carriers mounted on the rear
side of a first table for rotation in one direction, and a set of
front carriers mounted on and driven around the front side of the
first table, by rotation of a second table in front of the first
table, in the opposite direction. This braiding machine also has
10 a central axis stationary shaft for rotatable mounting of the first
and second tables thereon.
In Larsson, the annular body D has a set of peripheral
radial 810ts V which inter~ect th~ rac~way H for th~ upp~r carrl~rs
L. In the apparatus according to the invention, the first table has
15 a set of peripheral and radially arcuate slots.
In Larsson, the set of moving strands from the lower
bobbins 1 pass through a set of elongated guides or carriers J
positioned within the radial slots v in the annular body ~ and
mounted for swinging movements in vertical planesradial to the axis
20 of the braiding machine. In the apparatus according to the
invention, the set of moving strands ~rom the rear bobbins is guided
by a set of swing arms movable in a common plane perpendicular to
the axis of the braiding machine. Each swing arm is carried on the
first table between two of the radially arcuate slots and haæ an
25 eyelet engaging a rear strand prior to movement thereof into a first
table radially arcuate slot. The rear strands are guided through
an arc segment relative to the central axis of the braiding machine,
by the movement of the swing ar~s perpendicular to the braiding
machine axis.
~5~936
In Larsson, the pivotally mounted thread--carriers or
strand guides J are actuated by a set of rotating cams p "formed
with two concentric portions and two working poltions, so there will
be 'dwells' in the motions of the thread carri~er while it is in its
inward and its outward positions, and the abruptness of the working
portions are such that the thread-carrier will be swung in the
radial slot v, which intersects the raceway for the upper set of
bobbin-carriers ~etween the times when such carriers reach and are
passing across said slots, also the thread-carrier~ and the upper
10 set of bobbin-carriers wlth their bobbins, will dodge each other at
th~ ~aid slotted portlons v o~ the annular part D." (p~ge 3, col~
1, 11. 51-64)
In Larsson, the lobed cams p for swinging movement of the
strand guide J are driven by a spur-pinion r carried by a shaft q
15 which meshes with a small pinion u carried by an axis-shaft m2
carried by every other one of the pinions m driven by the large
spurgear-wheel d.
In the apparatus according to the invention, the braiding
machine has a control element positioned around the central axis
20 stationary shaft and behind the rear side o~ the first table. The
control element carries and positions a stationary cam track
radially inwardly of a set of rear strand supply bobbins. The cam
track has a set of alternating inner and outer portions providing
a "dwell" in movement for all of the strand guiding mechanisms
25 during rotation of the first table.
In Larsson, a circular ring formed ~y elements kk2k3 and
termed as the "cap" is supported as an extension of the upstanding
~5~i~3~
tubular portion a of the base or standard A. '7As shown, the
periphery of the thread-supporting cap i9 in substantial vertical
alinement with the path of movement of the upper set of bobbins. By
this construction all of the threads have a c:ommon support con-
centric to the point where the braid is formedO" (page 2, col. l,
11. ~7-53). As understood by the inventors, the stationary circular
braid ring of Larsson is intended to secure uniform braiding at the
"work centern, even though the set of moving strands from the lower
bobbins l are being swung by the carriers J, back and forth or in
lO and out, in vertical p]anes radial to the axis of the braiding
machine. I,arsson intends that the "cap lies in proximity to the
bobbin~, thereby Eormlng a sharp angle between th~ thread~ when the
thread-carriers are in their extremes of movements to prevent any
liability of a tangle forming." (page 2, col. l, ll. 64-65, col.
15 2, 11. 1-3)
In the apparatus according to the invention, a circular
braid ring is mounted coaxially on the central axis stationary shaft
in front of the second table and also has an outer diameter
coincident wikh the axes of rotation of the front bobbins. The
20 inventors intend that the circular braid ring function to extend the
"braid point" of the braiding machine, as far as practical toward
infinity. As shown by re~erence to drawing FIG. 6, the circular
braid ring defines the forward apex of a conical envelope generated
by the linear and arcuate movement of the rear tensioned strands so
25 that uniform and concentric braiding with the linearly moving
tensioned front stands will occur at the braid ring outer diameter.
The braiding or interweaving of the strand sets is achieved within
the parameters o the braiding machine and subsequent movement of
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the interwoven strands from the braiding machine to a "work center"
is merely for tightening of an established braid configuration
around a core or mandrel moving along the centxal axis of the
machine.
SUMD1ARY OF THE INVE~TION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
strand fabricating machine.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an
improved apparatus for the control of movin~ strands from rotating
strand supply bobbin~.
Still further, it is an object to provide an ~ficient,
precise and relatively inexpensive apparatus for the control of
relative strand movement, without significantly affecting or
altering strand tension, on a braiding machine with two sets of
carriers for a strand supply bobbin being rotated in opposite
15 directions and being generally axially aligned, as a set of Eront
and rear strand carriers and supply bobbins.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as the
advantages thereo~, will become apparent in view oE the drawings and
the detailed description.
The invention is used with a braiding machine having a set
of rear carriers for a strand supply bobbin mounted on the rear side
of a first table for rotation in one direction. ~he strands from
a set of supply bobbins on the rear carriers pass through a set of
peripheral slots in the first table. A second table is in front of
25 the first table. ~ set of front carriers for a strand supply bobbin
are mounted on and driven around the front side of the first table
~25S~336
by rotation of the second table. The braidiny machine also has a
central axis stationary shaft for rotatable mounting of the first
and second tables thereon. The braiding machine also has a drive
mechanism for rotating the first and second tables in opposite
directions.
An apparatus according to the invention for control of
moving strands from the sets of supply bobbins on the rear and front
carriers during movement thereof around and along the central axis
stationary sha~t and toward the "work center" of the braiding
10 machine, has a set of first table peripheral slot~ which are
radlall~ arcuat~ for movement of a -~et Q~ strands from the rear
caerier~ through an arc ~egment r~lative to the axi~ of the
stationary shaft. The apparatus further has a set of mechanisms
carried on the rear side of the first table for guiding a set of
15 strands from the rear carriers prior to movement thereof into the
radially arcuate slots. Each of the rear strand guide mechanisms
is between two of the radially arcuate slots. A variable radius cam
track is selectively positioned behind the rear side of the first
table and radially inwardly of the set of rear carriers. The cam
20 track actuates and controls the set of rear strand guide mechanisms
by rotation of the first table~ A circular braid ring is mounted
coaxially on the central axis stationary shaft in front of the
second table. The braid ring has an outer diameter substantially
coincident with the axes of rotation of a set of bobbinson the front
25 carriers. The braid ring may be rotated in the same direction as
the set of bobbins on the rear carriers and the first table.
Each of the rear strand guide mechanisms has an elongated
rotatable swing arm movable in a common plane perpendicular to the
~25S~36
axis of the central stationary shaft. Each swing arm has an eyelet
for engaging a moving strand from one of the rear carrier supply
bobbins behind the rear side of the first ta~le.
The apparatus according to the invention may also have a
set of strand guide components positioned behind the rear side of
the first table at a point along the axis of rotation for the guide
mechanism swing arms to receive moving strands from the rear carrier
supply bobbins before the moving strands are engaged by the swing
arm eyelets.
IN TH~ DR~WINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a braiding machine showing the
apparatus for the control of moving strands from rotating strand
supply bobbins in full lines, other components of the braiding
machine being shown in chain lines;
FIG~ 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear section, looking
15 toward the front of the braidin~ machine, taken substantially as
indicated on line 2-2 of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a related fragmentary rear section, taken in
front of and following sequentially after FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view, in section, taken substantially as
20 indicated on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing details of the apparatus
and a mechanism for guiding a moving strand from a rear bobbin
through an arc segment relative to the central axis of the braiding
machine;
FIG. 5 is a side view, in section, showing details of the
25 apparatus and a drive mechanism for rotating a braid ring around a
5936
central axis stationary shaft of the hraiding machine;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the functions of the
apparatus components for guidin~ a tension~d moving strand from a
rear bobbin;
5FIG. 7 is a side view showing deflector elements which may
be used to guide a moving strand from a rear bobbin relative to the
outer dimensions of a front carrier for a strand supply bobbin; and,
FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of a front carr;er for
a strand supply bobbin, taken substantially as indicated on line 8-
10 8 of FIG. 7.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION_OF THE INVE~TION
A horizontal braiding machine, embodying the present in-
vention, is referred to generally by the numeral 120. The braid-
ing machine l~O will have a set of rear carriers 20R for a strand
supply bobbin mounted on the rear side of a first table 121 for
5rotation in one direction. The braiding machine 120 will further
have a set of front carriers 20F for a strand supply bobbin movable
around the front side of the first table 121 for rotation by a second
table 122 in the opposite direction. A stationary shaft 123 on the
central axis of khe braiding machine rotatably mounts the Eirst
.lOtabl~ 121 and ~econd table l.22 thexeon. A dri~e mechanism power
input shaft 124 extends parallel to the stationary shaEt 123 and
toward the rear side of the first table 121.
The apparatus according to the invention, for control of
moving strands from strand supply bobbins, 21R and 21F, on the
15contra-rotating sets of strand carriers, 20R and 20F, is referred
to generally by the numeral 325. The strand guide apparatus
components 325 are operable above a ~rame base 126 carrying a
vertically oriented frame stanchion 127 for mounting the central
axis stationary shaft 123 and the power input shaft 124.
20Each set of carriers, 20R and 20F, and the strand supply
bobb;ns, 21R and 21F, thereon, are shown only in chain lines. A
moving length of strand material is indicated at 24R or 24F. A
carrier 20 for a supply bobbin spool (22) particularly suited for
use on a braiding machine 120 may be as disclosed in ~. S. Patent
20No. 4,52S,147, Bull, et al, Carrier For A Strand Supply Bobbin.
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Reference is made to said patent application for such further
,,
details as may be required to more fully understand the nature of
the inventionu
A mounting for the stationary shaft 123 and the power input
shaft 124 is shown only by chain lines. A mounting assembly (125)
particularly suited for use on a braiding machine 120 may be as
disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,535/672, Bull, et al, Apparatus For
Mounting components For Rotation Of Carriers For Strand Supply
Bobbins And For Timing Strand Movement Relative To Rotation. Refer-
ence is made to said patent for such further details as may be
required to more fully understand the nature of the invention.
~ drive mechanism for selectively rotatiny the first table
121 and the second table 122 in oppQsite direct;ons around the
stationary shaft 123, in response to rotation of the power input
shaft 124, is shown only by chain lines. A drive mechanis~ (225)
particularly suited for use on a braiding machine 120 may be as
disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,535,673, Winiasz, Apparatus For
Rotation Of Carriers For A Strand Supply Bobbin. Reference is mcLde
to said patent for such further details as may be required to more
fully understand the nature of the invention.
Apparatus for mounting the front strand carriers 20F on
the front side of the first table 121 is shown only be chain lines.
A drive assembly for moving each front strand carrier 20F during
rotation of the second table 122 is also shown only by chain lines.
A front strana carrier mounting and drive assembly (425~ particu-
larly suited for use on a braiding machine 120 may be as disclosed
in United States Patent No~ 4,535,675, Bull, et al, Apparatus For
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Rotating A Set Of Carriers For A Strand Supply Bobbin Relative ~o
Moving Strands From A Set Of Contra-Rotating Carriers For A Strand
Supply Bobbin. The disclosed front strand carrier mounting shut-
tles (426) and shuttle drive assem~lies (437) function during
operation of a braiding machine 120 so that moving strands 24R from
the set of rear bobbins 21R will pass by the moving strands 24F from
the set of front bobbins 21F and will not be contacted by the contra-
rotating front strand carriers 20F. Reference is made to said
patent application for such further details as may be required to
more fully understand the nature of the invention.
The strana control apparatus 325 includes a set o mach-
anisms, indicated at 326~ ~or guidlng moving strands 24R from th~
set of rear bobbins 2.lR through an arc segmen~ r~lative to th~
central axis of the braiding machine 120. The rear set of bobbin
strands 24R pass through a set of peripheral and radially arcuate
slots 327 in the first table 121 which are positioned between the
guide mechanisms 326. The rear strands 24R are guided by the
mechanisms 326, prior to movement into the arcuate slots 327, over
and around moving strands 24F ~rom the set of front hobbins 21F.
20A control element 328 is adjustably positioned, as by
secure connection to the front end of a drive torque tube 138 of an
apparatus 125, coaxially around the central axis stationary shaft
123 behind the rear side of the first table 121. The element 328
: carries and selectively positions a variable radius cam track 329
radially inwardly o the set of rear carriers 20R. The cam track
329 actuates and controls the set of strand guide mechanisms 326
during rotation of the first table 121. The cam track 329 has & set
. - 12 -
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of alternating inner and outer portions, 329I and 3290, providing
a "dwell" or the movement of the strand guiding mechanisms 326 at
the radially outer and radially inner ends of the arcuate first
table slots 327. The cam track dwell portions 329I and 3290 are
connected by a ramp or transition portion 329T.
A strand guiding mechanism 326 has a base plate 330
attached to the rear side of the first table 121, between any two
of the radially arcuate slots 327, as by bolts 331. A base plate
330 carries a radially inner drive plate pin 332 and a radially
10 outer swing arm pin 333 oriented para:llel to the central axis o the
bralding machine 120.
A strand guiding mechanism 326 also has a generally
triangularly shaped drive plate indicated at 334. The drive plate
base corner 335 is carried by the inner pin 332 and freely rotates
15 on roller bearing assemblies 336. The drive plate apex corner 337
carries a rearwardly projecting cam follower 338 for confined
engagement within the stationary cam track 329. The drive plate
terminal corner 339 is connected to the base ends of dual connector
means or links 340 by a pivot pin 341.
A strand guiding mechanism 326 further has an elongated
rotatable swing arm indicated at 342. The swing arm base end 343
is carried by the pin 333 and reely rotates on roller bearing
assemblies 344. The swing arm terminal end 345 carries an eyelet
346 for engaging a moving strand 24R from a rear bobbin 21R prior
25 to movement thereof into a first table radially arcuate slot 327.
The swing arm base end has an integral crank arm 347 connected to
the terminal end of the dual connector links 340 by a pivot pin 348.
The rear strands 24R are guided through an arc segment relative to
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the axis of the braiding machine 1~0, by movement of the swing arms
342 behind the first table 1~1, in a common plane perpendicular to
the braiding machine axis during rotation o~ the first table 121.
The strand control apparatus 325 may further have a set
of strand guide components positioned behind the rear side of the
first table 121 and at a point along the axis of rotation for the
swing arm 342 to receive a moving strand 24R from a rear bobbin 21R,
before the moving strand 24R is engaged by the swing arm eyelet 346.
As shown, the outer or base plate swing arm pin 333 has an extension
10 349 for mounting a strand guiding eyelet holder 350. The rearwardly
projecting eyelet holder 350 establishes an optimum center point
for a moving trand ~4~ rom a rear bobbin 21~, irrespec~:ive o~ ~he
actual point at whlch a strand 24R leaves a bobbin 21R. A centered
rear strand 24R exits the eyelet holder 350 by a way of a side slot
15 351 and moves toward the swing arm terminal end 345. A set of eyelet
holders 350 will establish and maintain an effective diameter of a
set of moving strands 24R from a set of rear bobbins 21R coincident
with the diameter of the axes of rotation of the front bobbins 21F.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a set of eyelet
20 holders 350 could be carried on a stand 352 used to mount the
carriers for the rear bobbins 21R on the rear side of the first table
; 121.
~ strand control apparatus 325 for a braiding machine 120
may have a stationary braid ring, indicated at 353, positioned
25 parallel to and in front of the set of front bobbins 21F and the
second table 122. The braid ring 353 has an outer diameter coinci-
dent with the diameter of the axes of rotation of the front bobbins
21F, and with the effective diameter of a set of moving strands 24R
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from a set of ~ear bobbins 21R as established by the eyelet holders
350. All o the moving strands, 24R and 24F, are engaged with or
bear upon the ring 353 prior to being pulled at the desired braid
angle to the "work center" for tight braidi:ng around a core or
mandrel moving along the central axis of the braiding machine 120.
As shown, a ring 353 is carried by a plurality of spoke shafts 354
extending outwardly from a hub 355 suitably secured to the central
axis stationary shaft 123 forwardly of the second table 122.
A strand control apparatus 325 for a braiding machine 120
10 may also have a rotating braid ring 353, as shown in FIG. 5. An
additional drive mechanism, indicat~d at 3S6, will rot.ate the braid
ring 353/ in the same dlrection, and preerably at th~ ~ame ~peed
as the rear strand supply bobbins 21R being carried by the first
table 121. Rotation of the braid ring 353 will substantially
lS eliminate contact of the moving rear bobbin strands 24R with the
edges of the peripheral and radially arcuate slots 327 in the first
table 121 and prevent "drag back" of all of the moving strandsr 24R
and 24F, during passage over the ring 353.
~he braid ring drive mechanism 356 includes a lateral arm
20 357 secured to or ~ormed integrally with the braid ring hub 355. The
~ hub 355 and lateral arm 357 are rotatably mounted on the central
: axis stationary shaft 123. As shown, a journal sleeve 358 is
coupled or keyed to the stationary shaft 123. The hub 355 and
lateral arm 357 freely rotate around the journal sleeve 358 on
25 roller bearing assemblies 359.
As referenced above, the braiding machine 120 has a drive
mechanism (225) for rotating the first table 121 and the second
table 122 in opposite directions around the central axis stationary
~;2 SS93~
shaft 123. A drive mechanism (225) has a second journal sleeve 247
freely rotating on roller bearing assemblies 248. The journal
sleeve 247 is secured around the stationary shaft 123 by a bearing
nut 251 having internal threads for mating engagement with external
threads 252 on the stationary shaft 123. The face of the journal
sleeve 247 has an annular shoulder flange 24g f~r secure connection
thereto of the second table 122 and a ring flange 250 carrying a
drive mechanis~ sixth sprocket 244. The braid ring drive mechanism
356 has a first sprocket 360 positioned around the journal sleeve
10 247 and inwardly of the bearing nut 251 and securely connected to
the second table 122 by spacer bolts 361.
The drive mechanism 356 Purther has a post shaft 362
extending from the rear side of the lateral arm 357 and sub-
stantially parallel to the central axis stati~nary shaft 123 and
15 t~ward the second table 122~ A second sprocket 363 aligned with the
first sprocket 360 is positioned coaxially around the outer end of
the post shaft 362 and rotatable thereon. A third sprocket 364 is
positioned coaxially around the post shaft 362 on the medial portion
thereof and rotatable thereon. The second sprocket 363 and the
20 third sprocket 364 are coupled together, as by mounting ~n a journal
bushing 365 carried by the post shaft 362.
The drive mechanism 356 further has a fourth or "sun"
sprocket 366 positioned coaxially around the central axis station-
ary shaft 123 and coupled thereto and aligned with the third
25 sprocket 364. As shown, rearward face of the journal sleeve 358 has
an annular shoulder flange 367 for rotatably seating the hub 3S5 and
lateral arm 357 and for secure connection thereto of the fourth
sprocket 366, as by bolts 368.
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A ~irst chain means 369 connects the first sprocket 360
with the second sprocket 363. A second chain means 370 connects the
third sprocket 3~4 with the fourth sprocket 366. During rotation
of ~he second table 122 in one direction, the braid ring 363 will
be rotated in the opposite direction by the drive mechanism 356.
The hub 355 and the lateral arm 357 are positioned in
sea~ed and rotatable engagement with the sleeve shoulder flange 357
by a bearing nut 371 having internal threads for mating engagement
with external threads 372 on the journal sleeve 358. The journal
10 sleeve 358 is secured around the central axis stationary shaft 123
by a clamp collar 373~
FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequential views looklng toward the
front of the braiding mach~ne Erom behind the rear ~lde of the ~irst
table 121 which is rotating counter-clockwise.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cam ~ollower 338 of the leading
strand guide mechanism 326 is outwardly traversing a cam track ramp
portion 329T toward a cam track dwell portion 3291. The leading
swing arm 342 and an eyelet 346 are guiding a moving strand 2~R from
a rear bobbin 21R toward the inner end o a first table radially
20 arauate slot 327. Also as shown, the cam follower 338 of the
trailing strand guide mechanism 326 is inwardly traversing a cam
track ramp portion 329T toward a cam track dwell portion 3290. The
trailing swing arm 342 and an eyelet 346 are guiding a moving strand
24R from a rear bobbin 21R toward the outer end of a radially arcuate
25 slot 327.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cam ollower 338 of the leading
strand guide mechanism 326 is moving along a cam track dwell portion
329I. A moving strand 24R from a rear bobbin 21R is positioned by
~Z~S~36
the leading swing arm 342 and an eyelet 346 at the inner end of a
first table radially arcuate slot 327. Also as shown, the cam
follower 338 of the trailing strand guide mechanism 326 is movin~
alon~ a cam track dwell portion 3290. A moving strand 24R from a
rear bobbin 21R is positioned by the trailing swing arm 342 and an
eyelet 346 at the outer end of a radially arcuate slot 327.
FIG. 6 depicts the linear and arcuate movement of one rear
strand 24R moving through a strand guiding eyelet holder 350 and
then tcward and through a swing arm eyelet 346 and then toward and
10 through a first table radially arcuate slot 327 and then toward and
around a segment of a circular braid rin~ 353. The full line
pos~tion o~ the str~nd 2AR lg at the inner end oE a ~ir~t tabl~
radially arc~ate slot 327. ~he chain line position of the strand
24R is at the outer end of an arcuate slot 327. The chain line
15 extending from the swing arm mounting pin 333 to the braid ring 353
is par~llel to the central axis of the braiding machine 120.
FIG. 6 also illustrates an operating efficiency of the
strand guide mechanism 326. ~he swing arm pin 333 functions as a
pivot point and the rotational axis of a swin~ arm 342. A swing arm
20 342 functions to geometrically position a moving rear strand 24R
relative to the moving front strands 24F (not shown in FIG. 6) while
maintaining uniform strand tension during interweaving. The re-
sultant tension force of a positioned rear strand 24R is directed
from a swing arm terminal end 345 and eyelet 346 through the
25 rotational axis of the swing arm 342, the pivot pin 333. The strand
tension force is statically balanced by the reaction force of the
pivot pin 333. Therefore, only minimal power is required from the
drive mechanism (225) for rotating the first table 121 to initiate
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and maintain arcuate movement of a swing arm 342 in engagement with
a rear strand 24R.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a modification to a front carrier
20F for a strand supply bobbin which may be .required for satis-
factory operation of a braiding machine 120 using the strand controlapparatus 325 according to the invention. A generally axial
alignment of the front and rear carriers, 20F and 20R, will permit
the use of strand supply bobbins, 21R and 21F, of a relatively large
diameter. The lar~er the diameter of a bohbin 21, the greater the
10 amount o~ strand material 24; increasing the operational time of the
braidlng machine 120 without ~hutting down for replacement with a
~Ull bob~in 21. However, a front carrier 20F suitable ~or carrying
a spool ~22) of a large diameter bobbin 21 could momentarily impinge
upon a moving rear strand 24R. Such momentary impingement could
15 occur against the base of a carrier 20F when a moving strand 24R is
at the inner and outer ends of the first table radially arcuate slot
327. A momentary impingement could also occur against top portions
or the front sides of a carrier 20F.
If required by the effective diameter of a front carrier
~0 20F for a front strand supply bobbin 21FI a suitably shaped
deflector plate 374 may be positioned between a carrier base member
~23) and a carrier mounting shuttle platform (427). Also, a
suitably shaped deflector ring 375 may be secured, as by a series
of mounting brackets 376, to a raisable cap ~32) o a front carrier
25 20F.
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